To update all profiles to the latest European standard, you often need to replace the profitab.inp file located in ..\Tekla Structures\Version\Environments\common\system\ .
The catalog data is not stored in a single black-box file. Instead, it relies on three primary file types located in your environment or model folders:
: All catalog data for a specific model is stored in a file named profdb.bin located in the model folder. Advanced Customization Options
: Profiles with static dimensions (e.g., standard AISC steel sections).
Tekla Structures operates on a hierarchical file system, allowing catalogs to be shared across projects, companies, or specific regions. Understanding where these files reside prevents data loss and ensures consistency across modeling teams. Core Files tekla structures profile catalog
The profile name typed in the modeling properties does not match exactly (including spaces) the name in the catalog. Fix: Use the "Select Profile" button (three dots) instead of typing manually.
Never alter standard profile prefixes (like W , HEB , or UB ) unless project specifications explicitly demand a unique naming convention for CNC fabrication machinery.
Click to import it into the fixed profile database under the "Others" category. Method 3: Sketching a Parametric Profile
Parametric profiles are defined by a geometric shape prefix followed by a set of variable dimensions separated by cross-multiply signs (e.g., PL200*10 for a plate or RHS200*100*6 for a rectangular hollow section). To update all profiles to the latest European
In Tekla, go to .
Parametric profiles use mathematical rules and variables to define shapes. They are highly versatile because you can type custom dimensions directly into the property pane during modeling. Examples include:
These profiles have static, predetermined dimensions. Examples include standard hot-rolled steel shapes like W-shapes, I-beams, and channels governed by national standards (e.g., AISC, EN, JIS).
Crucially, you must click . Tekla needs to compute the area (A) and inertia (Ix/Iy) based on your dimensions. If you skip this, weight calculations will be zero. Core Files The profile name typed in the
Marco clicked open the . To Lena, it had always looked like a dense spreadsheet of dry numbers: HEA300 , UB457x191x98 , CHS 168.3x7.1 . But Marco saw a toolbox.
Are you experiencing a specific error, like profiles?
| Type | Description | Example Names | |------|-------------|----------------| | | Pre-defined from industry standards (AISC, British, European, etc.) | HE400B, IPE300, W12x26 | | Parametric | Defined by formulas; dimensions adjust based on inputs | I, L, C, RHS, TUBE | | User-defined (UDM) | Custom shapes drawn in the catalog editor or imported from DXF/DWG | Custom cold-formed section | | Recurve | Recurved profiles for special architectural shapes | Recurve trapezoidal | | Chamfered | Profiles with rounded corners (e.g., for corner posts) | Chamfered rectangle |
Solution: Map the profile names during the import phase using a translation file ( profile_export_set.txt ), or manually add the missing profile alias into your catalog.
The Tekla Structures profile catalog is the foundational database that defines the cross-sectional shapes and dimensions of structural members used in a Building Information Modeling (BIM) project. It contains standard parametric profiles, fixed shapes, and custom user-defined geometries. Managing this catalog efficiently is critical for ensuring structural accuracy, seamless data exchange, and automated drawing outputs. 1. Understanding Profile Catalog Basics